Malta boasts beaches with crystal clear waters, which have nothing to envy from the Caribbean ones. The island offers beaches for all tastes: sandy or rocky, for families or lovers of water sports, or more tourist, with all the amenities at hand or isolated, where you can relax in peace.
The beaches of Malta tend to become very busy in July and August: buses fill up unbelievably, so at some times it becomes hard to get on the bus. As for car journeys, some beaches have rather limited parking (this is the case of Għajn Tuffieħa), so parking between 11:00 and 14:00 depends exclusively on any people who are leaving.
The truly summer climate in Malta lasts from early May until late October: the beaches come alive with bars and kiosks. Everywhere it is possible to rent a beach umbrella and sun-bed, in addition to being able to rent canoes. Water sports like windsurfing and kite are prohibited from June to September.
Għadira Bay
Għadira Bay is located in the bay of Mellieha, on the north coast of the island of Malta. It is the largest sandy beach in Malta and one of the most famous on the island, with crystal clear waters and very fine sand. The water around the beach has no currents and the depth increases very gradually, making it one of the most family-friendly beaches. The area is full of kiosks, offering picnic areas; to conclude there is the possibility of renting all the necessary equipment for water sports.
How to get to Għadira Bay
This is an easy beach to reach by public transport: the stop – Għadira – is located right in front of the beach, with several bus lines: for this reason, it is also one of the busiest. By clicking on the line number you will open the page with the official times and route, instead of on the name of the place you will continue navigating to our relative article:
Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa
Probably Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa are the two most beautiful beaches in Malta (intended as the main island), surely they are very scenic, as they are located in one of the least populated areas of Malta. The beaches are separated by a promontory, so they are quite similar to each other as water quality, type of sand and natural scenery. Golden Bay is bigger and has more services.
Golden Bay is located northwest of Malta and takes its name from the golden colour of its sand. It is one of the beaches most frequented by tourists and is equipped with bars and restaurants around with all the services needed to be able to spend the day at sea. The bay is generally windy, making it an ideal point for off-season windsurfing, however even the currents can be strong: do not let the children move too far from the shore.
The beach of Gajn Tuffieħa is not far from Golden Bay, but it is more secluded and quiet: it is less frequented because to get there you have to go down (and then go up) a long stairway with 150 steps. In addition to the main beach, there is the possibility to reach a more distant cove where to practice naturism. Don’t miss the walk to the top of the promontory on the left, from where you can see another beach in the distance, Gnejna Bay, as well as a fantastic view of both bays. Parasols (€ 5) and sunbeds (€ 6) can be hired. There is a kiosk above the staircase (cheaper), and then a bar located at sea level, incredibly expensive: the usual half-litre Cisk can cost the beauty of 4 €.
How to get to Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa
The bus lines are the same for the two beaches, and the two stops where you get off are one after the other. It may cause some confusion, but to go to Golden Bay you have to get off at the Għajn Tuffieħa stop, instead of to go to Għajn Tuffieħa beach you have to get off at the Riviera stop. In both cases, once you get off the bus, you will have to walk a hundred meters to reach the beach.
Paradise Bay
Paradise Bay is located near Mellieħa, overlooking the strait that separates Malta from Gozo. The beach is not large, but being less easy to reach than other beaches, and having a good size car park in the immediate vicinity, it is recommended especially for those with a car. The beach is surrounded by cliffs with crystal clear waters where you can snorkel or rent a canoe. The beach has a beach, so you can rent umbrellas and sunbeds (5 € umbrellas) and take a shower (€ 1), in addition to being able to use the toilets freely. The restaurant at the Lido is much better quality than you might think at first sight, and even if the menu is not the cheapest, the fish is fresh and well cooked, but if you want to limit your expenses, simply enter the bar for buy fire, the typical Maltese sandwiches, at more than acceptable prices: one will be more than enough for lunch.
Getting to Paradise Bay
The bus stop is located in the parking lot above the beach, once you arrive you just need to go down the stairs to reach the beach immediately. The only bus that arrives above the beach is 101 (on the line connecting Cirkewwa to Mgarr via Mellieħa): it is necessary to change at Mellieħa (almost all the stops are in common) and be punctual, as it passes a bus every hour. Alternatively, if you do not want to wait for the bus for a long time, the next closest stop is Musa, located about 800 meters from the beach: from here pass several lines that continue to Mellieħa.
Saint Peter’s Pool
Located close to Marsaxlokk, Saint Peter’s Pool is one of the most beautiful cliffs in Malta. It is a natural pool, with very clear waters, which is accessed via a steep staircase carved into the rock; it is excellent for those who want to snorkel or dive. During the summer, at least in July and August, there is a kiosk with drinks and sandwiches. In other periods it is better to bring water and everything you need.
Getting to St. Peter’s Pool
Each of these three lines takes you to the Abdosir stop, where you need to get off. At this point proceed on foot towards the slope. After 500 meters you will find a clearing with a small church, turn right there (Triq Delimara). Go straight ahead following the main road, after about twenty minutes you will have to turn left (do not worry, there is a sign) and follow the road. Proceed past the parking lot and when the descent begins you will see Peter’s Pool. When you arrive at the fork, we advise you to take the path to the right: it is more direct than the other and a little further on it becomes an easy flip-flop-proof staircase.
The 119 takes you to the Delimara stop, in the summer the drivers also call you the St. Peter’s Pool stop. If you come down here you will be closed but a steep uphill road awaits you immediately. At the top follow the main road to the right, then straight ahead and when you see the blue sign for St. Peter’s Pool turn left.
Blue Lagoon
Located in Comino, the islet between Malta and Gozo lies what is considered to be perhaps the most beautiful beach in Malta. The water in the lagoon has such a clear colour that it seems to be in a swimming pool, and even if it pushes itself into the open sea the water is so clean that the seabed is visible at several meters. Obviously, the mask is a must!
How to get to the Blue Lagoon
To reach Comino there are two options: get to Cirkewwa and take the ferry that goes directly to Comino, or reach it with one of the many tourist boats that leave from Sliema or St. Paul’s Bay; some of these offer panoramic tours, buffets and bar service. We discuss this in more detail in this article on Comino and the Blue Lagoon.
Ramla Bay
Ramla Bay, known in Maltese as Ramla l-Hamra, is one of the largest beaches in Gozo and is famous for its reddish sand. This beach is located at the bottom of a valley in Xgħara, in the eastern part of Gozo. On the nearest hill overlooking the beach, there are some Roman ruins and an abandoned hotel, just a little further west is the famous Grotta di Calypso, mentioned by Homer in the Odyssey. The latter is unfortunately not accessible due to the danger of collapses. The bay is quite far from the towns and is surrounded by nature, but there are a beach restaurant and several kiosks with drinks, fruit and sandwiches.
How to get to Ramla Bay
You can reach Ramla Bay by bus 302 from Victoria, and by 322, by Mgarr and Marsalforn. Mgarr is where the ferry dock is coming from Malta, so you could also reach it by public transport directly from Malta, although you have to be quick to get off the ferry and get to the bus stop just outside. An alternative could be a taxi: a ride to the beach costs around € 15.
Once you get off at the Ramla stop, just walk a hundred yards to reach the beach. The road is paved and there are walkways on the sand, you can easily get there with a stroller or a wheelchair.
Dwejra Bay
Dwejra Bay owes its fame above all to the Azure Window, the azure window, an ancient natural arch that collapsed in 2017. Even without its icon, the beach remains one of the most beautiful in Gozo, thanks to its evocative landscape and its crystal clear waters. Please note that Dwejra Bay is not a sandy beach, and reef shoes are needed to get into the water. In the same locality, there is the Inland Sea, a lagoon connected to the sea by a narrow passage in the rock, from where it is possible to make boat trips to the rest of the coast. Despite being quite isolated in the area there are several kiosks with food and drinks, as well as the possibility of renting diving equipment.
How to get to Dwejra Bay
To get to Dwejra Bay by bus, take the 311 from Victoria’s bus station to the terminus, you’ll be practically in front of where once stood the Azure Window. There is a bus every 60 minutes.
Blue Grotto
In fact, Blue Grotto is not a beach, but you can swim there. The area is located near the town of Zurrieq, in the southwestern part of the island. To reach the sea you have to go down for a short distance along a road lined with bars and small shops for tourists; finally, you will arrive in a cove with deep waters and deep blue. This place is very popular with divers, as it is the starting point for several dives in the area. From here you can also take boat trips inside the cave, tickets can be purchased at the end of the descent, after the premises. If you then ascend and walk a short stretch of road towards Zurrieq, you can admire Blue Grotto and its cliffs from above, to enjoy the view as in the photo.
How to get to Blue Grotto
In practice, from Blue Grotto, it is very easy to walk to the temples of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, and generally, all these places are visited together. A possible alternative is to walk up the road to Zurrieq: it takes a good half hour to get there, but the road has a wide cycle path with a good view: here you will find more information on Zurrieq and Blue Grotto.
Rent a sailboat
Going around Malta (or Gozo) on a sailing boat is by far the best thing to do in Malta in the summer. No stress on transport, spend the whole day at sea and you can have lunch on board.